Deceptive drug kratom leaves Alabama users battling severe addiction, withdrawal

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THEM. WELL, KRATOM IS A NATURAL SUPPLEMENT DERIVED FROM A TREE NATIVE TO SOUTHEAST ASIA. IT’S GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION RIGHT HERE IN OUR AREA. THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US HERE AT 6:00. I’M JARVIS ROBERTSON AND I’M BRITTANY DECKER. AND THAT’S BECAUSE IT’S HIGHLY ADDICTIVE. AND MANY PEOPLE WHO THINK IT’S PERFECTLY SAFE ARE FINDING THEMSELVES UNABLE TO STOP USING IT. NOW, ALABAMA IS ONE OF ONLY A FEW STATES THAT HAVE MADE IT ILLEGAL, BUT IT IS STILL A PROBLEM HERE. WVTM 13 LISA CRANE SPOKE TO A WOMAN IN BIRMINGHAM WHO’S BEEN IMPACTED. ANGELA EDWARDS IS LIVING AND WORKING AT THE LOVELADY CENTER. SHE’S DEALING WITH ADDICTION. MOST RECENTLY, HER DRUG OF CHOICE WAS KRATOM. EVERY DAY I WAS, I WAS TAKING IT EVERY DAY. ALL DAY. EXPERTS SAY IT’S A DECEPTIVE DRUG BECAUSE IT’S PLANT BASED AND ALL NATURAL. THERE’S THE BELIEF THAT IT MUST BE SAFE. IT’S EVEN MARKETED AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO ALCOHOL. IT’S AN OPIOID LIKE EFFECT. YOU KNOW, SOME PEOPLE DESCRIBE IT AS LIKE A WARM HUG. YOU KNOW, IT’S IT’S IT’S KIND OF THAT FEELING OF OF PEACEFULNESS AND THAT EVERYTHING’S OKAY. OR MAYBE YOU JUST DON’T CARE ABOUT ANYTHING. SO IT KIND OF MAKES YOU FORGET YOUR YOUR WORRIES. LONG SAYS IT IS HIGHLY ADDICTIVE, AND USERS QUICKLY DEVELOP A TOLERANCE FOR IT. SO THEY’RE COMPELLED TO USE MORE AND MORE TO GET THE SAME EFFECT. AND WHEN THEY TRY TO QUIT. WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS ARE REPORTEDLY WORSE THAN THOSE ASSOCIATED WITH COMING OFF HEROIN. I WAS ON KRATOM FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS, IF NOT LONGER, AND AT THE TIME WHEN I WAS ON KRATOM, I THOUGHT I WAS, YOU KNOW, IT WAS GOOD WHEN I WAS ON IT. BUT WHEN I WAS COMING OFF KRATOM, I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE. YOU KNOW, THE WITHDRAWALS WERE WORSE THAN ANY KIND OF WITHDRAWALS THAT I’VE EVER HAD FROM ANYTHING. KRATOM IS ILLEGAL IN ALABAMA. BUT LONG SAYS MANUFACTURERS HAVE CREATED SYNTHETIC VERSIONS, AND JUST BY CHANGING ONE MOLECULE, THEY CAN SKIRT THE LAWS AND SELL THESE PRODUCTS. HERE, EDWARDS HAS BEEN CLEAN FOR A WHILE NOW, BUT SHE’S STILL NOT OUT OF THE WOODS. IT TOOK ME MONTHS TO FEEL EVEN NORMAL. I STILL DON’T HAVE MY FULL ENERGY BACK. HER ADVICE TO ANYONE THINKING THIS MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA DON’T DO IT. IT’S NOT. IT’S NOT WORTH. IT’S NOT WORTH IT. IN BIRMINGHAM LISA CRANE WVTM 13. IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW STRUGGLES WITH ANY KIND OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE YOU CAN GET IN CONTACT WITH NATIONAL DRUG HELPLINE, WHICH CAN ASSIST YOU WI

Updated: 8:44 AM CDT Aug 9, 2025

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Deceptive drug kratom leaves Alabama users battling severe addiction, withdrawal

Updated: 8:44 AM CDT Aug 9, 2025

Editorial Standards ⓘ

Kratom, a natural supplement derived from a tree native to Southeast Asia, is getting a lot of attention in the U.S. because it’s highly addictive, and many people who think it's perfectly safe are finding themselves unable to stop using it. Alabama is one of only a few states where it’s illegal, but it is still a problem here. Angela Edwards is living and working at the Lovelady Center in Birmingham. She's dealing with addiction, and most recently, her drug of choice was kratom.“Every day. I was taking it every day. All day," she said.Experts call it a deceptive drug, because it's plant-based and all natural, there's the belief it must be safe. It's even marketed as an alternative to alcohol.Frank Long, with the Lovelady Center said, “It's an opioid-like effect. You know, some people describe it like a warm hug. You know, it's kind of that feeling of peacefulness and that everything's OK. Or maybe you just don't care about anything. So, it kind of makes you forget your worries.”Long said it's highly addictive and users quickly develop a tolerance to it, so they're compelled to use more and more to get the same effect. And when they try to quit, withdrawal symptoms are reportedly worse than those associated with coming off heroin.“I was on kratom for about two years, if not longer," Edwards said. "And at the time when I was on kratom, you know, it was good when I was on it, but when I was coming off kratom, I thought I was going to die, you know, the withdrawals were worse than any kind of withdrawals that I’ve ever had."An estimated 1.7 million Americans 12 and older used kratom in 2021, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health.In July, the Food and Drug Administration recommended a scheduling action to control certain 7-hydroxymitragynine (also known as 7-OH) products under the Controlled Substances Act.Kratom is illegal in Alabama, but Long said manufacturers have created synthetic versions, and by changing just one molecule, they can skirt the law and sell the products here. Edwards has been sober for a while now, but she's not out of the woods. “It took me months to feel even normal. I still don't have my full energy back," she said. Her advice to anyone thinking this might be a good idea? “Don't do it. It's not, it's not worth it, it's not worth it.”If you or someone you know struggles with any kind of substance abuse, the National Drug Helpline can assist with getting you information on how to get treatment where you are. The phone number is 844-289-0879.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —

“Every day. I was taking it every day. All day," she said.

Experts call it a deceptive drug, because it's plant-based and all natural, there's the belief it must be safe. It's even marketed as an alternative to alcohol.

Frank Long, with the Lovelady Center said, “It's an opioid-like effect. You know, some people describe it like a warm hug. You know, it's kind of that feeling of peacefulness and that everything's OK. Or maybe you just don't care about anything. So, it kind of makes you forget your worries.”

Long said it's highly addictive and users quickly develop a tolerance to it, so they're compelled to use more and more to get the same effect. And when they try to quit, withdrawal symptoms are reportedly worse than those associated with coming off heroin.

“I was on kratom for about two years, if not longer," Edwards said. "And at the time when I was on kratom, you know, it was good when I was on it, but when I was coming off kratom, I thought I was going to die, you know, the withdrawals were worse than any kind of withdrawals that I’ve ever had."

An estimated 1.7 million Americans 12 and older used kratom in 2021, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

In July, the Food and Drug Administration recommended a scheduling action to control certain 7-hydroxymitragynine (also known as 7-OH) products under the Controlled Substances Act.

Kratom is illegal in Alabama, but Long said manufacturers have created synthetic versions, and by changing just one molecule, they can skirt the law and sell the products here.

Edwards has been sober for a while now, but she's not out of the woods. “It took me months to feel even normal. I still don't have my full energy back," she said.

Her advice to anyone thinking this might be a good idea? “Don't do it. It's not, it's not worth it, it's not worth it.”

If you or someone you know struggles with any kind of substance abuse, the National Drug Helpline can assist with getting you information on how to get treatment where you are. The phone number is 844-289-0879.

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What is Amazon Resale? Here's how to never pay full price on Amazon

These deals on gently used and open-box products usually fly under the radar.

What is Amazon Resale? Here's how to never pay full price on Amazon

These deals on gently used and open-box products usually fly under the radar.

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Shopping for someone who loves their home, look no further than these Good Housekeeping approved gifts. The three gifts that we've chosen here today for the home are award winners and editor favorites from Good Housekeeping for 2025. 1st, something practical and perfect for anyone with *** green thumb. These $14 Fiskers pruning and gardening shears. This pair of shears from Fisker's cuts easily. Through stems and branches whether you're pruning house plants or pruning shrubs outside, we love that they're easy to lock and unlock and that they come with *** lifetime guarantee. Next, *** gift that brings peace of mind, the $75 smoke and carbon monoxide detector from Kitty is Ring App enabled and connects to your smartphone. The detector will ping your phone at the first sight of danger. And simultaneously sound an alarm through all of the connected detectors in your home. And for the home cook who loves *** clean countertop, the KitchenAid Go cordless kitchen vacuum costs about $89. They're your batch cooking on Sundays like me or baking for the holidays. We all know what *** mess the kitchen counter and stove can look like after. This vacuum gets into every corner and crevice and makes kitchen clean up quick and easy.

Updated: 8:45 AM CST Dec 8, 2025

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What is Amazon Resale? Here's how to never pay full price on Amazon

These deals on gently used and open-box products usually fly under the radar.

Updated: 8:45 AM CST Dec 8, 2025

Editorial Standards ⓘ

Bargain hunters at Good Housekeeping regularly browse the Internet for the best deals that our readers can shop. They're always thinking of corners to cut and coupons to clip. Amazon Resale helps with just that — and we have just the tips and tricks to wield it.Deals can fly under the radar at Amazon Resale (formerly known as Amazon Warehouse) and Amazon Outlet. Little do you know that there's prices slashed on everything from appliances to high-end clothing. Read on for how to scoop even deeper discounts thanks to Amazon Resale sales, and check out our guides to Amazon's secret coupon page for shopping on a budget.SHOP AMAZON RESALEOur favorite Amazon Resale deals:See below for more of our favorite deals to shop now. Keep in mind that Resale pricing changes regularly, so prices written may differ slightly from what you see on Amazon.What exactly is Amazon Resale?Living as its own section on the site, Amazon Resale consists of sale items, including sought-after name brands, like InstantPot to Ninja and Apple products to Amazon devices (Fire TVs, Echo, Kindle). The retailer marks these down because their condition is "like-new, open-box or pre-owned," according to Amazon Resale's FAQ page. Sometimes, shoppers can get an even sweeter deal. "I’ve had major luck getting steep discounts on brand new products sold directly by Amazon," says Lexie Sachs, Textiles Director at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She stumbled upon the Amazon Resale site when purchasing balloon sets (normally $30) for her kids and noticed a “new from $20.50” option with the Amazon Prime logo next to it. Sachs clicked through just to find out that the packaging was slightly damaged and decided to give it a shot. "When my order showed up, the box looked like it was in perfect condition," she says. After that, Sachs says she was hooked.How do I get to Amazon Resale? SHOP AMAZON RESALEYou can click the button above or right here. From the Amazon.com homepage, you can simply click the dropdown arrow to the left of the search box and scroll to "Amazon Resale." Then, you can look up and browse items, from any category, specifically from the section. How does Amazon Resale work? According to Amazon, all items are evaluated and graded using a 20-point quality process. The site uses the labels below to give shoppers a quick understanding of the product's condition, along with detailed comments unique to that item. Look out for these labels when shopping Amazon Resale: Renewed: This is Amazon's version of refurbished. All renewed products have been inspected and tested by Amazon to work and look as good as new. It should have minimal to no signs of wear and comes with the Amazon Renewed Guarantee which gives you 90 days to request a replacement or refund.Used – Like New: An item in perfect working condition. The packaging may have minor damage.Used – Very Good: The item has seen limited use and remains in great working condition. The packaging may be damaged or it may come repackaged. Used – Good: The item shows wear, but remains in good working condition. The packaging may be damaged or it may come repackaged. Used – Acceptable: The item is fairly worn but continues to function properly. The packaging may be damaged or it may come repackaged.If you're unhappy with your purchase, Amazon Resale offers free replacements within 30 days when there is a product with the same listing condition available in their inventory. As for scoring a great deal, it's first-come, first-served. "It's not like there are multiple units in inventory," explains Sachs, "it’s something you should keep an eye out for, and you have to be quick because it’s usually a one-off item at a time." She suggests adding your selected item to Amazon's "Save for Later" so you keep tabs on markdowns. Sachs has since made more purchases on Amazon Resale and claims most of the time, there is usually zero noticeable damage. "I honestly would’ve still given some items as a gift," she says. "Today I got a new tie-dye kit, and the edges did look a bit dented. However, the contents were perfect." Is Amazon Resale legit and safe to shop from? To be extra safe, only make your purchase when your item is labeled "Fulfilled by Amazon." You can see this on the far right of the page, under the price. "Knowing it’s fulfilled by Amazon, I know it’s legitimate and I can easily resolve any issues if they come up," says Sachs. "I don’t think I’d feel safe if it was a third-party seller that I had to deal with separately if there was an issue." SHOP AMAZON RESALE

Bargain hunters at Good Housekeeping regularly browse the Internet for the best deals that our readers can shop. They're always thinking of corners to cut and coupons to clip. Amazon Resale helps with just that — and we have just the tips and tricks to wield it.

Deals can fly under the radar at Amazon Resale (formerly known as Amazon Warehouse) and Amazon Outlet. Little do you know that there's prices slashed on everything from appliances to high-end clothing. Read on for how to scoop even deeper discounts thanks to Amazon Resale sales, and check out our guides to Amazon's secret coupon page for shopping on a budget.

SHOP AMAZON RESALE

Our favorite Amazon Resale deals:

See below for more of our favorite deals to shop now. Keep in mind that Resale pricing changes regularly, so prices written may differ slightly from what you see on Amazon.

Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds

SHOP NOW

amazon.com

$179.00

$94.05

Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M4 chip

SHOP NOW

amazon.com

$1,199.00

$930.02

Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven with Grill

SHOP NOW

amazon.com

$219.95

$96.17

Dyson V8 Plus Cordless Vacuum, Silver/Nickel

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amazon.com

$539.99

$276.63

Shark AI Ultra Voice Control Robot Vacuum

SHOP NOW

amazon.com

$599.00

$265.39

AirPods Pro 3

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amazon.com

$249.00

$206.90

Shark Clean & Empty Cordless Stick Vacuum (Premium)

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amazon.com

$449.99

$245.35

Ninja® CREAMi® Swirl 13-in-1 Soft Serve Ice Cream Machine

SHOP NOW

amazon.com

$349.99

$251.99

What exactly is Amazon Resale?

Living as its own section on the site, Amazon Resale consists of sale items, including sought-after name brands, like InstantPot to Ninja and Apple products to Amazon devices (Fire TVs, Echo, Kindle). The retailer marks these down because their condition is "like-new, open-box or pre-owned," according to Amazon Resale's FAQ page.

Sometimes, shoppers can get an even sweeter deal. "I’ve had major luck getting steep discounts on brand new products sold directly by Amazon," says Lexie Sachs, Textiles Director at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She stumbled upon the Amazon Resale site when purchasing balloon sets (normally $30) for her kids and noticed a “new from $20.50” option with the Amazon Prime logo next to it.

Sachs clicked through just to find out that the packaging was slightly damaged and decided to give it a shot. "When my order showed up, the box looked like it was in perfect condition," she says. After that, Sachs says she was hooked.

How do I get to Amazon Resale?

SHOP AMAZON RESALE

You can click the button above or right here. From the Amazon.com homepage, you can simply click the dropdown arrow to the left of the search box and scroll to "Amazon Resale." Then, you can look up and browse items, from any category, specifically from the section.

amazon

The Amazon Warehouse homepage.

How does Amazon Resale work?

According to Amazon, all items are evaluated and graded using a 20-point quality process. The site uses the labels below to give shoppers a quick understanding of the product's condition, along with detailed comments unique to that item. Look out for these labels when shopping Amazon Resale:

Renewed: This is Amazon's version of refurbished. All renewed products have been inspected and tested by Amazon to work and look as good as new. It should have minimal to no signs of wear and comes with the Amazon Renewed Guarantee which gives you 90 days to request a replacement or refund.
Used – Like New: An item in perfect working condition. The packaging may have minor damage.
Used – Very Good: The item has seen limited use and remains in great working condition. The packaging may be damaged or it may come repackaged.
Used – Good: The item shows wear, but remains in good working condition. The packaging may be damaged or it may come repackaged.
Used – Acceptable: The item is fairly worn but continues to function properly. The packaging may be damaged or it may come repackaged.

If you're unhappy with your purchase, Amazon Resale offers free replacements within 30 days when there is a product with the same listing condition available in their inventory.

As for scoring a great deal, it's first-come, first-served. "It's not like there are multiple units in inventory," explains Sachs, "it’s something you should keep an eye out for, and you have to be quick because it’s usually a one-off item at a time." She suggests adding your selected item to Amazon's "Save for Later" so you keep tabs on markdowns.

Sachs has since made more purchases on Amazon Resale and claims most of the time, there is usually zero noticeable damage. "I honestly would’ve still given some items as a gift," she says. "Today I got a new tie-dye kit, and the edges did look a bit dented. However, the contents were perfect."

Is Amazon Resale legit and safe to shop from?

To be extra safe, only make your purchase when your item is labeled "Fulfilled by Amazon." You can see this on the far right of the page, under the price. "Knowing it’s fulfilled by Amazon, I know it’s legitimate and I can easily resolve any issues if they come up," says Sachs. "I don’t think I’d feel safe if it was a third-party seller that I had to deal with separately if there was an issue."

SHOP AMAZON RESALE

College Football Playoffs: When are the first round of games

Updated: 3:23 PM CST Dec 7, 2025

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College Football Playoffs: When are the first round of games

Updated: 3:23 PM CST Dec 7, 2025

Editorial Standards ⓘ

The 12 teams vying to win the College Football Playoff national title were revealed Sunday by the CFP selection committee.The top four seeds — No. 1 Indiana (13-0), No. 2 Ohio State (12-1), the defending national champion, No. 3 Georgia (12-1) and No. 4 Texas Tech (12-1) — earn first-round byes and will automatically advance to the quarterfinals. First round matchupsThe first round takes place on December 19 and 20.The matchups (all times Eastern):No. 12 James Madison (12-1) at No. 5 Oregon (11-1) - December 19, 7:30 p.m. TNT/HBO MaxNo. 10 Miami (10-2) at No. 7 Texas A&M (11-1) - December 20, 12 p.m. ESPN/ABCNo. 11 Tulane (11-2) at No. 6 Ole Miss (11-1) - December 20, 3:30 p.m. TNT/HBO MaxNo. 9 Alabama (10-3) at No. 8 Oklahoma (10-2) - December 19, 8 p.m. ESPN/ABCThe five highest-ranked conference winners receive automatic CFP berths.On Friday, Tulane, a Group of 5 school, captured the American Conference title after a 34-21 victory against North Texas in New Orleans.Another Group of 5 team made it to college football’s version of the “Big Dance.” James Madison beat Troy 31-14 to take the Sun Belt Conference championship in Harrisonburg, Virginia.Unranked Duke (8-5) beat Virginia (10-3) 27-20 in overtime in Charlotte, North Carolina, to win the school’s first outright ACC championship since 1962. However, Tulane and James Madison had a higher CFP ranking than unranked Duke.The Hurricanes leapfrogged Notre Dame to make it in the CFP poll. The Fighting Irish were ranked higher than Miami in previous polls.The road to the national titleThe CFP quarterfinals are set for December 31 and January 1.The games will be played in the Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas; the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida; the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California; and theSugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.No. 9 Alabama or No. 8 Oklahoma vs No. 1 IndianaNo. 10 Miami or No. 7 Texas A&M vs No. 2 Ohio StateNo. 11 Tulane or No. 6 Ole Miss vs No. 3 GeorgiaNo. 12 James Madison or No. 5 Oregon vs No. 4 Texas TechThe semifinals will take place on January 8 and 9 in the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, and the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.A national champion will be crowned at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19.

The 12 teams vying to win the College Football Playoff national title were revealed Sunday by the CFP selection committee.

The top four seeds — No. 1 Indiana (13-0), No. 2 Ohio State (12-1), the defending national champion, No. 3 Georgia (12-1) and No. 4 Texas Tech (12-1) — earn first-round byes and will automatically advance to the quarterfinals.

First round matchups

The first round takes place on December 19 and 20.

The matchups (all times Eastern):

No. 12 James Madison (12-1) at No. 5 Oregon (11-1) - December 19, 7:30 p.m. TNT/HBO Max
No. 10 Miami (10-2) at No. 7 Texas A&M (11-1) - December 20, 12 p.m. ESPN/ABC
No. 11 Tulane (11-2) at No. 6 Ole Miss (11-1) - December 20, 3:30 p.m. TNT/HBO Max
No. 9 Alabama (10-3) at No. 8 Oklahoma (10-2) - December 19, 8 p.m. ESPN/ABC

The five highest-ranked conference winners receive automatic CFP berths.

On Friday, Tulane, a Group of 5 school, captured the American Conference title after a 34-21 victory against North Texas in New Orleans.

Another Group of 5 team made it to college football’s version of the “Big Dance.” James Madison beat Troy 31-14 to take the Sun Belt Conference championship in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Unranked Duke (8-5) beat Virginia (10-3) 27-20 in overtime in Charlotte, North Carolina, to win the school’s first outright ACC championship since 1962. However, Tulane and James Madison had a higher CFP ranking than unranked Duke.

The Hurricanes leapfrogged Notre Dame to make it in the CFP poll. The Fighting Irish were ranked higher than Miami in previous polls.

The road to the national title

The CFP quarterfinals are set for December 31 and January 1.

The games will be played in the Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas; the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida; the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California; and theSugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

No. 9 Alabama or No. 8 Oklahoma vs No. 1 Indiana
No. 10 Miami or No. 7 Texas A&M vs No. 2 Ohio State
No. 11 Tulane or No. 6 Ole Miss vs No. 3 Georgia
No. 12 James Madison or No. 5 Oregon vs No. 4 Texas Tech

The semifinals will take place on January 8 and 9 in the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, and the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

A national champion will be crowned at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19.

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WVTM 13's Celebration of Holiday Lights

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NOT SOUND DURING THE FIRE. THE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE AND WE WANT TO GET YOU IN THE SPIRIT WITH OUR CELEBRATION OF HOLIDAY LIGHTS. OUR FIRST STOP, THE LIGHTS OF NOEL AT THE BIRMINGHAM RACE COURSE. WVTM 13 CARLA WADE SHOWS US ALL THE WORK THAT IT TAKES TO GET THIS DISPLAY READY. YOU KNOW, THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS HERE. WHEN LIGHTS OF NOEL OPENS AT THE BIRMINGHAM RACE COURSE. THE DRIVE THROUGH DISPLAY FEATURES ABOUT A MILLION LIGHTS SYNCHRONIZED TO MUSIC, AND THAT TAKES A LOT OF POWER. FOR DATA, WE PROBABLY RUN OVER FOUR MILES WORTH OF DATA CABLES. AND THEN WHEN IT COMES TO POWER CABLES, IT’S CLOSE TO THE SAME, PROBABLY ANYWHERE FROM ABOUT 3 TO 4 MILES OF JUST POWER THAT WE HAVE TO RUN ALL THROUGHOUT HERE. JAMES COWELL SAYS IT TAKES THEM A MONTH TO SET UP THE DISPLAY, AND IT’S NOT AN EASY TASK. I’M NOT GONNA LIE, Y’ALL HAVE WILD WEATHER HERE. ESPECIALLY THIS SPOT. THE WIND HARDLY EVER STOPS. SO WE’LL BE OUT HERE. IT’LL BE 30 DEGREES RAINING, AND WE’RE HAVING TO WIRE STUFF, PUT STUFF TOGETHER IF YOU THINK YOU’VE SEEN IT ALL BEFORE, THINK AGAIN. YOU GET TIRED OF THE SAME OLD, SAME OLD. YOU GOTTA SPICE IT UP A LITTLE BIT. THIS YEAR WE ADDED SOME MORE MODERN SONGS, PROBABLY THE BIGGEST ONES WERE ARIANA GRANDE AND JUSTIN BIEBER WERE TWO OF THE NEW ONES. AND THEN AGAIN, WE FINALLY ADDED THE MARIAH CAREY SONG AFTER BATTLING WIND, RAIN, THOUSANDS OF STRANDS OF LIGHT AND MAKING SURE EVERYTHING IS JUST RIGHT. WHEN YOU FINALLY SEE THE PEOPLE COMING IN AND YOU SEE, LIKE SPECIFICALLY KIDS, WHEN THEIR FACES LIGHT UP, GOING THROUGH THE TUNNELS AND STUFF LIKE THAT MAKES IT ALL WORTH IT. AND WE WANT TO GIVE YOU THE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE WE’RE TAKING. YOU LIVE AT THE LIGHTS OF NOEL RIGHT NOW AT THE BIRMINGHAM RACE COURSE. IT’S OUR FIRST CELEBRATION OF HOLIDAY LIGHTS. CHECK OUT ALL THE DECORATIONS OUT THERE, SOME BEAUTIFUL LIGHTS. IT LOOKS GREAT. IF YOU KNOW OF A GREAT LIGHT DISPLAY, WE WANT YOU TO JOIN IN ON THE FUN AS WELL. IF YOUR HOUSE LOOKS BEAUTIFUL AND YOU WANT TO SHARE IT WITH ALL OF OUR VIEWERS, YOU CAN CHECK OUT THE QR CODE. YOU CAN ALSO HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE AND SHARE YOUR FESTIVE DISPLAY ALONG WITH THE STORY BEHIND IT. WE’RE GOING TO FEATURE ONE HOME OR BUSINESS EVERY FRIDAY THROUGH THE MONTH OF DECEMBER, SO MAKE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR NAME, YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION. WE A

WVTM 13's Celebration of Holiday Lights

This holiday season, WVTM 13 is showcasing your festively-decorated homes and businesses across Central Alabama.

Share your photos and videos to be highlighted in our gallery below, and they could be featured by a WVTM 13 news crew live on-air.

>> SHARE: Click here to submit your photos and videos to us

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Lights of Noel

Year-End FSA, HSA Guide: How to make the most of your accounts before 2026

Don’t leave money on the table.

Year-End FSA, HSA Guide: How to make the most of your accounts before 2026

Don’t leave money on the table.

Have an FSA or HSA before the year ends, make sure you're getting the most of your benefits. Here's what you need to know. For an FSA, *** flexible spending account, it's use it or lose it. Most funds expire on December 31st, though some employers offer *** grace period until March 15, 2026. Experts found US families forfeit an average of $441 in unused. Save money. So check your balance. If you have money left, consider scheduling any doctor appointments you've been putting off and stocking up on FSA eligible products. Those include everything from feminine hygiene products and sunscreen to home healthcare items like blood pressure monitors and contact lenses. Check out the complete FSA eligibility list at FSAstore.com. You might be surprised by all that's covered. Now an HSA or health savings account works differently. Your HSA balance does roll over each year. If you're enrolled in *** high deductible health plan, you can actually still contribute to your HSA until April 15, 2026 to lower your taxable income. For 2025, the limits are $4300 for individuals and $8550 for families tax-free. Whether you have an HSA or an FSA, make sure to save your receipts in case you need them for reimbursement later or to verify purchases. Reporting in Washington, I'm Amy Lowe.

Updated: 1:00 PM CST Dec 4, 2025

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Year-End FSA, HSA Guide: How to make the most of your accounts before 2026

Don’t leave money on the table.

Updated: 1:00 PM CST Dec 4, 2025

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The year is almost over, and if you have a Flexible Spending Account or a Health Savings account, now is the time to check your balance and make sure no health dollars go to waste.Although these accounts can help you save significantly on medical expenses, they do operate a little differently.FSA: 'Use it or Lose It' by Dec. 31FSA funds do not roll over to the next year, and most funds expire on Dec. 31. While some employers offer a grace period until March 15, 2026, most do not. Experts found that U.S. families forfeit an average of $441 in unused FSA funds back to their employers each year simply by not spending the money in time.What to do now:Log in and check your balance.Schedule any overdue doctor or dental appointmentsStock up on FSA-eligible products, which include feminine hygiene products, sunscreen, contact lenses and home health care items, like blood pressure monitors.Check out The Complete FSA Eligibility List at fsastore.com. You might be surprised by all that is covered. HSA: Funds roll over and tax benefitsYour HSA balance rolls over each year, allowing you to save and invest funds for future medical expenses.If you are enrolled in a high-deductible health plan, you can actually still contribute to your HSA account until April 15, 2026. These contributions can help lower your taxable income. For 2025, the contribution limits are $4,300 for individuals and $8,550 for families. Most importantly, HSA contributions, earnings and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are all tax-free.Don’t forget: Keep your receipts Whether you have an HSA or FSA, always save your receipts in case you need them for a reimbursement later or to verify purchases. Watch the video below for some additional year-end tax tips.

The year is almost over, and if you have a Flexible Spending Account or a Health Savings account, now is the time to check your balance and make sure no health dollars go to waste.

Although these accounts can help you save significantly on medical expenses, they do operate a little differently.

FSA: 'Use it or Lose It' by Dec. 31
FSA funds do not roll over to the next year, and most funds expire on Dec. 31. While some employers offer a grace period until March 15, 2026, most do not.

Experts found that U.S. families forfeit an average of $441 in unused FSA funds back to their employers each year simply by not spending the money in time.

What to do now:

Log in and check your balance.
Schedule any overdue doctor or dental appointments
Stock up on FSA-eligible products, which include feminine hygiene products, sunscreen, contact lenses and home health care items, like blood pressure monitors.

Check out The Complete FSA Eligibility List at fsastore.com. You might be surprised by all that is covered.

HSA: Funds roll over and tax benefits
Your HSA balance rolls over each year, allowing you to save and invest funds for future medical expenses.

If you are enrolled in a high-deductible health plan, you can actually still contribute to your HSA account until April 15, 2026. These contributions can help lower your taxable income. For 2025, the contribution limits are $4,300 for individuals and $8,550 for families.

Most importantly, HSA contributions, earnings and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are all tax-free.

Don’t forget: Keep your receipts
Whether you have an HSA or FSA, always save your receipts in case you need them for a reimbursement later or to verify purchases.

Watch the video below for some additional year-end tax tips.

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